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Skylit Cabins Crafted From Local Timber Within A Volcanic Landscape

Authors:
Ryan Danby, Samantha Moscardelli
Skylit Cabins Crafted From Local Timber Within A Volcanic Landscape

Project in-detail

Skylights embedded in locally sourced timber cabins offer unobstructed views of the aurora borealis, creating a unique retreat that blends seamlessly with the volcanic landscape of Iceland.
5 key facts about this project
01
Skylights in every cabin maximize natural light and facilitate aurora viewing from inside.
02
Cabins utilize charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and weather resistance.
03
The design incorporates passive thermal strategies to reduce energy consumption.
04
Granular gravel pathways minimize environmental disruption while guiding movement.
05
Local timber sourcing strengthens the connection with the surrounding landscape.

### Architectural Design Report: Ljós Project

**Overview**
The Ljós project is situated near Mývatn Lake in Iceland, within a landscape characterized by volcanic formations and glacial terrains. The design aims to provide an immersive experience of the aurora borealis, integrating functionality, spatial organization, and contextual relevance. The architectural intervention emphasizes harmony between built forms and the surrounding natural environment, fostering communal interactions while enhancing the appreciation of the unique geographical context.

**Spatial Strategy and User Experience**
The layout features a triangular configuration that echoes the organic evolution of the site, with structures resembling both traditional and contemporary Icelandic dwellings. Key components, such as the Eldhús (kitchen) and Heim (home), serve as gathering spaces for visitors, centered around a communal kitchen designed to promote fellowship and socialization. The expansive dining area is equipped with a long table that encourages shared meals, supported by thoughtfully designed accommodation cabins that balance privacy with a connection to the landscape.

**Materiality and Sustainability**
The design incorporates locally sourced materials, notably dark wooden cladding that harmonizes with the volcanic surroundings while imparting warmth to the structures. Large glass elements provide unobstructed views of the aurora borealis, facilitating an immersive interaction with the natural spectacle. Gravel pathways guide visitors through the site, ensuring minimal disruption to native flora and fauna. The use of wood and glass not only enhances aesthetic appeal but also reflects a commitment to sustainable practices, creating a dialogue between the architecture and its environment. Specific features, such as the Skála Cabin with its strategically placed skylight, further amplify the connection to the natural landscape, inviting occupants to engage with the night sky from within.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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Competition organisers

The MICROHOME 10 competition invites participants to submit visionary designs for off-grid, modular microhomes that push the limits of sustainable, small-scale living. Organised by Buildner in partnership with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this tenth edition sets the challenge of designing a dwelling for two people within a maximum floor area of 25 m², encouraging bold solutions adaptable to any urban or rural location. The competition continues Buildner’s mission to foster innovative approaches to compact, energy-efficient housing that can address pressing global challenges.

This year’s edition offers a generous total prize fund of €100,000, including the Kingspan Award for designs that integrate high-performance Kingspan products and the Hapi Homes Award for a project selected for real-world construction. In addition to cash prizes, the winners gain international exposure through Buildner’s media partnerships, publications, and a dedicated MICROHOME magazine, further amplifying their ideas to the wider architectural community.

Key dates for MICROHOME 10 include the closing date for registration on 25 September 2025, the submission deadline on 29 October 2025 (11:59 p.m. London time), and the announcement of winners on 9 December 2025. These milestones ensure participants have clear timelines to develop and present their concepts, with early registration discounts available to support students and emerging designers worldwide.

MICROHOME

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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